Top 10 Current Affairs April 2026: Complete Monthly GK for Competitive Exams

From Russia and China vetoing the UNSC resolution on the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran sending a 10-point peace plan for ending the Israel-Iran war, to the commencement of the Census of India 2027. This month has witnessed events across every section, including National, International, Sports, Defence, and many others, which are likely to be asked in competitive exams. So, let's see all the major highlights of the month in our April 2026 current affairs roundup. This comprehensive current affairs update will boost your General Knowledge and help you stay ahead in UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways, Defence, State PSC, Teaching Exams, and other competitive exams. Stay informed. Keep reading!

1. List of new Appointments in April 2026

2. National news April 2026

2.1 Commencement of Census 2027

• This is India’s first-ever digital data capture and Self-Enumeration.

• Name of the mascots: "Pragati" and "Vikas”

• In the first phase of the rollout, the Self-Enumeration process has commenced in eight States and Union Territories, including Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Goa, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Odisha, Sikkim, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) area, and the Delhi Cantonment Board in the National Capital.

• The Self-Enumeration exercise is a secure, web-based facility available in 16 regional languages.

2.2 India’s First ‘Water Neutral’ Railway Depot

• Name: Kankaria Coaching Depot

• Location: Ahmedabad

• This depot saves nearly 1.60 lakh litres of water daily.

• The central part of this transformation lies in the innovative wastewater treatment method known as Phytoremediation.

• This depot lies under the Ahmedabad division (Western Railway Zone).

• The Western Railway Zone is headquartered in Churchgate (Mumbai, Maharashtra).

2.3 India’s 99th Ramsar Site

• Name: Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary

• Location: Aligarh district of Uttar Pradesh.

• Include the new addition, the total number of Ramsar sites in Uttar Pradesh: 12

• These sites, recognised under the Ramsar Convention (1971) for wetlands of international importance, will strengthen wetland conservation, biodiversity protection, and climate resilience.

3. International news April 2026

3.1 Russia and China veto UN Security Council resolution on Strait of Hormuz

• Russia and China have vetoed a UN Security Council resolution to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime chokepoint through which a fifth of the world's oil passes. 
• The 15-nation UN Security Council voted on the resolution proposed by Bahrain, which received 11 votes in favour, 2 against and 2 abstentions.
• Thereafter, Pakistan acted as a mediator for a temporary two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran and was expected to host further peace talks.
• The Peace talks between the USA and Iran failed to reach an agreement as Iran chose not to accept American terms, including not building nuclear weapons.
• Post the failure to reach an agreement, the USA expanded the naval blockade of Iran every hour. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tehran now faces a stark choice: Iran must either accept a nuclear deal or face mounting economic collapse under sustained U.S. pressure.

3.2 The Tobacco and Vapes Bill

• Passed by the United Kingdom Parliament.

• This will prevent individuals born on or after January 1, 2009, from purchasing cigarettes.

• This initiative was initially introduced in 2024 under Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

• It aims to increase the smoking age by one year every year, ensuring future generations grow up smoke-free.

3.3 New restriction to the social media access for children under 15 years

• Country name: Turkey

• The legislation requires the platforms to implement the strict age-verification systems and parental controls.

• Mandatory compliance is required for major platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram.

4. State/UTs news April 2026

4.1 Recognition of new languages in Meghalaya

• Meghalaya Cabinet approved the Meghalaya Official Languages Ordinance, 2026.

• This decision grants Khasi and Garo full official status alongside English.

• This new ordinance repeals the Meghalaya State Language Act, 2005, which previously designated English as the sole official language, with Khasi and Garo functioning only as "associate" languages. 

• By exercising powers under Article 345 of the Indian Constitution, the state government has officially formalised the use of indigenous languages for administrative purposes.

4.2  Approval of the creation of five new districts in Ladakh

• Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has approved the creation of five new districts in the Union Territory, taking the total number of districts to seven. The newly created districts are - 

  1. Nubra              2.Sham               3. Changthang            4. Zanskar                5.Drass

• Earlier, Ladakh had only two districts: Leh and Kargil.

5. Defence news April 2026

5.1 Delivery of INS Malwan

• It’s the second of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi.

• ‘Malwan’ draws its name from the historic coastal town of Malwan in Maharashtra, a region intrinsically linked to the illustrious maritime heritage of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

•  Measuring approximately 80 metres in length and displacing 1,100 tons.

5.2 Commissioning of INS Taragiri

• INS Taragiri, the fourth potent platform of the Project 17A class, was commissioned into the Indian Navy.

• A masterclass in modern naval shipbuilding, this latest stealth frigate, with a displacement of approximately 6,670 tonnes, has been designed by the Warship Design Bureau and built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited.

• Project 17A, a major Indian Navy initiative constructing seven advanced guided-missile stealth frigates, known as the Nilgiri-class, designed for "Blue Water" operations.

5.3 Induction of INS Aridhaman

• It’s the third indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN).

• It was developed under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project.

• Names of the 1st and 2nd SSBNs of the Indian Navy: INS Arihant, INS Arighaat.

6. Sports news April 2026

6.1 Conclusion of Khelo India Tribal Games 2026

• Edition: 1st

• Mascot: Morveer

• Host: Chhattisgarh

• Top in the medal tally: Karnataka

6.2 New records created in ongoing IPL 2026

6.3 First Quadruple Amputee to Win an Archery Championship

• Name: Payal Nag (India)

• She achieved this feat in the World Para Archery Series Final in Bangkok.

7. Important Awards April 2026

7.1 Harvard South Asian Person of the Year Award 2026

• Awarded to Sayani Gupta

• Awarded by Harvard South Asian Association.

• The Harvard South Asian ‘Person of the Year’ award honours the individuals who have made a meaningful impact on the South Asian culture, identity and representation.

7.2 Femina Miss India World 2026

• Edition: 61st

• Host: Bhubaneshwar (Odisha)

• Winner: Sadhvi Satish Sai (Goa)

• She will now represent India in the Miss World 2027 competition.

7.3 Laureus World Sports Awards 2026

• Location: Madrid (Spain)

• Sportsman of the year: Carlos Alcaraz (Spain, Sport: Tennis)

• Sportswoman of the year: Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus, Sport: Tennis)

• World Team of the Year: Paris Saint-Germain (Football club)

8. Report/Ranking/Portal April 2026

8.1 Snake Identification App

• Launched by Costa Rica

• It’s a free mobile application developed by the Universidad de Costa Rica with its Clodomiro Picado Institute.

• Aim: To help people to identify venomous snakes.

9. Obituaries April 2026

9.1 C D Gopinath

• India’s oldest living Test cricketer

• He was the last surviving member of the team that achieved India’s first Test victory against England in 1952.

9.2 Sonam Wangchuk

• He was a colonel in the Indian Army.

• Also known as the Lion of Ladakh. 

• He’s a recipient of the prestigious Maha Vir Chakra, which is India’s second-highest wartime gallantry award.

• During the Kargil War, Colonel Wangchuk. then a Major in the Indian Army and led a mission in the Batalik sector.

9.3 Asha Bhosle

• Legendary singer 

• Padma Vibhushan awardee 

• She recorded her first film song in 1943.

10. Important Books April 2026

10.1 Tides of Time: Bharat’s History through Murals in Parliament

• Unveiled by C.P.Radhakrishnan (Vice President of India)

• Author: Sudha Murty

• The murals capture India’s rich civilizational journey displayed in the Parliament building.

Here's the BONUS! Special Days in April 2026, List of National & International Important Days

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